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Title / Operate a tractor for rural contractingoperations
Level / 3 / Credits / 13
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to, for rural contracting: carry out pre-operational checks for operating a tractor and equipment; drive a tractor on the road; operate a tractor with equipment; and carry out post-operational procedures.
Classification / Rural Contracting > Agricultural Contracting
Available grade / Achieved
Entry information
Critical health and safety prerequisites / Driver licence and any driver licence endorsement appropriate to the machine or vehicle being used.
Explanatory notes
1Thefollowing legislation and requirements apply to this unit standard:
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992;
Resource Management Act 1991;
Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004;
Managing health and safety – A guide for farmers(Wellington: Worksafe, 2014); and
Safe use of tractors on farms(Wellington: Worksafe, 2014); and
Guarding Farm Machinery – Tractor power take-offs and transmission machinery (Wellington: Department of Labour, 1984); and
Approved Code of Practice for Roll Over Protective Structures on Tractors in Agricultural Operations(Wellington: Department of Labour, 2001); and
Approved Code of Practice for the Management of Noise in the Workplace(Wellington: Department of Labour, 2002); all available from
Manufacturer’s instructions.
Any legislation or other requirement superseding any of the above will apply, pending review of this unit standard.
2Assessment against this unit standard must be based on evidence from a workplace context; and includes assessment against either a wheeled or tracked tractor.
3Personal protective equipment, appropriate for the work being carried out, is to be selected and worn in accordance with company requirements and manufacturer’s instructions.
4Definitions
Company requirementsrefer to all policies, procedures, and methodologies the candidate’s organisation has in place including but not limited to those relating to health, safety, environment, quality, and operations.
Manufacturer’s instructions may include specifications, installation, handling, use, and maintenance instructions and safety data sheets.
Sloping terrain means terrain that exceeds 20º.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Carry out pre-operational checks for operating a tractor and equipment for rural contracting.
Evidence requirements
1.1Hazards are identified and controlled in accordance with company requirements.
1.2Tractor and equipment is checked for condition, damage, wear, and faults; problems are identified; and corrective action is taken in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and company requirements.
1.3Checks are made and any necessary actions are taken or adjustments made to ensure the tractor and equipment complies with legal and company requirements for operator health and safety.
1.4Tractor attachments are fitted and removed in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and company requirements.
Outcome 2
Drive a tractor on the road.
Evidence requirements
2.1Tractor is checked for roadworthiness prior to moving from site in accordance with legal requirements for roadworthiness, manufacturer’s instructions, and company requirements.
2.2Tractor is driven on the road in compliance with Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004.
Outcome 3
Operate a tractor with equipment for rural contracting.
Evidence requirements
3.1Site hazards are identified and controlled in accordance with company requirements.
3.2Tractor is operated in a safe, smooth, and stable manner with no risk of harm to people or animals, or damage to tractor, other equipment, surfaces, or property structures.
3.3Tractor is controlled in different site conditions in accordance with client and company requirements, and manufacturer’s instructions.
Rangesite conditions include three of: sloping terrain; wet or slippery ground; close to trenching works; in water; by fence lines; in scrub; on grass; on clay; on gravel; on loose rock; on solid rock; other.
3.4Machine production is maintained at economic usage relative to the task and the safety of the operator and machine in accordance with company requirements.
Rangemay include setting up and using GPS for guidance.
3.5Tractor is monitored during operation for condition, damage, wear, and faults, problems are identified, and corrective action is taken in accordance with company requirements.
Outcome 4
Carry out post-operational procedures.
Evidence requirements
4.1Shut-down procedures are carried out in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and company requirements.
4.2Any damage or faults including any missing, bent, broken, or loose parts are identified and are repaired, replaced, or reported in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and company requirements.
4.3Tractor is stored in accordance with company requirements.
4.4Documentation for the operation is completed in accordance with company and client requirements, and is stored in accordance with company requirements.
Replacement information / This unit standard replaced unit standard 19574 and unit standard 19562.Planned review date / 31 December 2020
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 16 July 2015 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0101
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact Infrastructure ITO at you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Infrastructure ITOSSB Code 101813 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018